Victoria’s growing, and Melbourne Airport’s growing with it. Whether it’s new roads, better access or more capacity, it’s all part of getting ready for what’s ahead. With that comes a bit of reshuffling on the ground. The road network around the airport is changing, and if you’re driving in soon, you might come across a few detours, some lane closures or the odd disruption that may slow things down.

That’s why it helps to have your airport parking sorted before you get here. With parking options close to the terminals, parking onsite keeps things simple at a time when the precinct’s busier than usual.

A lot is shifting around the airport right now, and if you’re arriving by car, pre-booking gives you one less thing to figure out on the day. Here’s how the works may affect your trip and why booking your parking online can help:

• Major works are changing how you enter and move around the precinct. Traffic patterns are different while parts of the terminal forecourt are being rebuilt, with new kerbs, temporary barriers and changed turning lanes. This area carries much of the airport’s ground transport, so even small changes can influence how vehicles and pedestrians move through it. Pre-booking means you only need to follow the signs to your car park. We’ll even email you a map to help you find your way in.
• Naarm Way and Airport Drive carry some of the biggest impacts. Naarm Way, the ramp from the Tullamarine Freeway into the T4 car park, is being upgraded and realigned. Sections of Airport Drive also have staging zones, narrowed lanes and altered approaches. These changes can reduce speed and create bottlenecks, especially at peak times. Knowing exactly which car park you're heading toward removes one layer of decision-making when traffic is slowing in front of you.
• Works connected to the Third Runway are reshaping the northern side of the precinct. Upgrades along Sunbury Road for the Third Runway Project include widening, intersection changes and new traffic controls. These works can add minutes to your approach, particularly during morning and evening peaks. When you pre-book, the built-in grace period helps absorb those delays, so a slower run-in doesn’t create added pressure.
• Upgrades along the Tullamarine Freeway can extend travel time. Construction staging on the Tullamarine Freeway can cause slow movement into the airport. Even a small delay can push out your arrival, especially if you're unfamiliar with the new layout. Pre-booking removes any uncertainty about where you’ll park, which helps you settle into the final stretch more easily.
• Drop-off and pick-up zones are being redirected. With temporary adjustments to the pick-up and drop-off zones, traffic in front of the terminals can feel tighter than usual. These changes also affect services like SkyBus and rideshare vehicles that move through the same part of the precinct. Pre-booking lets you bypass that movement by heading straight to your car park.
• Pedestrian and vehicle wayfinding changes are frequent. As works shift from stage to stage, signage is updated to reflect new detours, closures or modified paths. Pre-booking helps you plan your route ahead of time, so the only signs you need to focus on are the ones guiding you to your chosen car park.

These projects are setting up the airport for the future, but they do make today’s drive a little more involved. Before you leave, check the airport’s road delays and disruptions page for the latest maps and updates. A few minutes of preparation helps you move through the precinct with more confidence while these improvements take shape.

With so much happening across the precinct, it helps to know what your parking choices look like before you head in. Melbourne Airport has several onsite options that keep you close to the terminals, no matter what kind of trip you’re taking:

• Value car park: With the precinct busier than usual, the Value car park gives you a simple place to start your trip. It’s open-air and easy to reach from Airport Drive or Mercer Drive, so you can park and head straight to the nearest bus shelter. The free shuttle bus runs every 15 minutes, 24/7, stopping at both Terminal 1 (best stop for travellers flying Qantas and internationally) and Terminal 4 (best stop for travellers flying domestic with Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Rex or Link Airways).

During peak travel times like the school holidays, you can book Value Express, a seasonal valet-style service in the Value car park. Just drop off your car at the Value Express zone near Bus Stop B, hand over your keys, and take the next shuttle while our team parks your car for you. It’s a helpful option that saves you time looking for a car spot, giving you a smoother journey to the terminals.

• Terminal car parks: If you prefer to park closer to the terminals, the Terminal car parks keep things even simpler. They’re right across from the terminals, so you can park and walk straight in without needing a shuttle bus ride.

There are two locations: the Terminal T123 car park links directly to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 via a covered bridge, which works well if you’re flying with Qantas, Virgin Australia or heading off on an international trip, while the T4 car park is just 100 metres from the Terminal 4 entrance and suits travellers flying Jetstar, Rex, Link Airways and Virgin Australia. Both car parks offer a mix of open-air and undercover parking spaces and give you a straightforward walk to check-in even when the precinct is busier than usual.

• Premium Self Park: Located on Level 1 of both the T123 and T4 car parks, Premium Self Park puts you in the closest self-park bays to the terminal entrances. You park, keep your keys and walk straight in. With undercover parking bays, this parking option makes the start of your trip feel easier on early mornings, hot days or when you’re travelling with family and bags in tow.
• Premium Valet: The precinct is a little busier right now, so handing the parking over to someone else can make the start of your trip feel much easier. With Premium Valet on Level 1 of the T123 car park, you can pull in, pass your keys to the team and head straight to the terminal. There’s no need to look for a spot or work out extra steps. Just a quick handover that keeps your focus on getting inside and getting on with your trip.
• Qantas Valet: Don’t want to book ahead? Pull into Level 1 of the T123 car park, hand over your keys and make your way to the terminal with no booking needed. You can also request a car wash while you’re away, so you return to a clean car after your trip. It’s open to all travellers, but if you’re a Qantas Frequent Flyer, you’ll earn points every time you park here.

No matter which option you choose, you’ll find accessible parking spaces across all onsite car parks. With dedicated bays positioned close to lifts and terminal entry points, you can keep your trip steady and straightforward from the moment you arrive.

Now that the precinct is moving through a busy period of change, the best time to book airport parking is as soon as your flights are locked in. You can book between 12 months and up until two hours before your arrival, which gives you plenty of flexibility when planning ahead.

Online bookings come with lower rates than drive-up, so getting in early helps you plan your trip with better value. Every booking made online also includes a grace period, which gives you one hour of extra time on either side of your stay for bookings under four hours, and two extra hours on both ends for longer stays. This helps if you reach the car park a little earlier or later than planned.

Booking online also lets you add an Overstay Guarantee, which helps cover additional time in the car park if your return is delayed due to illness, border closures or flight cancellations.

Sometimes, trips don’t run quite how you expected. If that happens, you can update your parking details online through Manage My Booking. It lets you change your arrival or departure time, or cancel your booking altogether, up until two hours before you’re due to arrive.

If you’ve already parked and your return is running later than planned, you can update your exit time or date in the same place. It’s a simple way to keep your parking aligned with your trip, even when the timing changes on the day.

A good trip always starts with knowing what you’re heading into, and if you’re flying from Melbourne Airport, a bit of planning now can make the day run much easier. Once your flights are set, take a moment to book your parking online and look over the airport maps before you leave home. You can also subscribe to Melbourne Airport’s Parking Deals newsletter, where you’ll receive parking offers, helpful tips and simple travel advice straight to your inbox.